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WASH1N(tTON 



THE 



EARLY LIFE 



OF 



WASHINGTON; 



DESIGNED FOR THE 



INSTRUCTION AND AMUSEMENT 



, f^ T H E Y O U N G. 



23u a jrriciiD of Jloutfi^ 



PRO\"IDENCE: 
KXOWLES. VOSE AND COMPANY. 

J 838. 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1838, 
by Knowles, Vose & Co , in the Clerk's OfBce of the 
District Court for the District of Rhode-Island. 



3 3 6 J 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER FIRST. 
VVashington's birth — his ancestors — the first school he 
attended — family anecdotes — death of his father. 

CHAPTER SECOND. 

Family anecdotes — George lives with his half-brother 
Augustine about three years, and attends Mr. Wil- 
liams's school — his manuscript book of forms — his 
rules of ])ehavior. 

CHAPTER THIRD. 

Came very near entering the British Navy at the age 
of fourteen — attends school at Fredericksburg — be- 
came a practical surveyor at the age of sixteen — the 
Indian war dance — continues surveying three years 
— is appointed Adjutant General of the Militia, with 
t)ie rank of Major at the age of nineteen — accom- 
panies his half-brother Lawrence to Barbadoes — 
Lawrence dies and leaves George the Mount Vernon 
estate. 

CHAPTER FOURTH. 

Washington's mission from the Governor of Virginia to 
tlie French commandant, at the age of twenty one — 
narrowly escapes being killed by an Indian — came 
near being drowned in the Allegany river — visits 
Queen Aliquippa. 

CHAPTER FIFTH. 

Major Washington at the age of twenty-two, is ap- 
pointed to command the regular Virginia forces, 
consisting of two companies — being increased to six 



Tl CONTENTS. 

companies, he is raised to the rank of Litmtenant 
Colonel, and made second in command — his modesty 
— the fort just begun at the fork of the Ohio — sur- 
renders to the French — Washington attacks and de- 
feats a party of French. 

CHAPTER SIXTH. 

Battle of the Great Meadows — vote of thanks to Colo- 
nel Washington, and his oflicers disapproving of the 
arrangement of the Virginia troops, he retircs^from 
tlie service. 

CHAPTER, SEVENTH. 

Is invited by General Braddock to join his expedition 
as a volunteer — accepts the invitation — battle of Mo- 
nongahela — Washington conducts the retreat with 
ability, and retains the confidence of the public. 

CHAPTER EIGHTH. 

Anecdote — Washington is appointed to command the 
Virginia forces — his visit to Boston — commands the 
advance division at the taking of Fort Du Quesne — 
resigns his military commission — marries — devotes 
himself chiefly to agricultural pursuits, till called to 
take command of the American armies in the War of 
Independence. 



TO THE READER. 

The following is a narrative of him, who has been 
justly styled " The Father of his Country." It com- 
prises the first twenty-seven years of his life. Though 
this is the least brilliant portion of Washington's life, 
it is a valuable portion of it ; because it exhibits those 
traits of character which laid the foundation of his fu- 
ture greatness, and are worthy the attention and imi- 
tation of youth. 

The author, in remarking that he has drawn his infor- 
mation from the most authentic sources, acknowledges 
his obligations to the works of Weems, Ramsay, Mar- 
shall, and M'Guire, and especially to the valuable notas 
•and observations of Sparks. 



THE 

EARLY LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTER FIRST. 

Washington's birth — his ancestors — the first school he 
attended — family anecdotes — death of his father. 

George Washington was born in Virginia, 
on the 22d of February, 1732. The partic- 
ular place of his birth was Pope's Creek, 
Washington parish, in the county of West- 
moreland. The name of his great grand- 
father was John Washington, who came 
from the north of England and settled on 
Pope's Creek, in Virginia, in the year 1655. 
He afterwards married Miss Pope, the daugh- 
ter of the gentleman from whom the Creek 
took its name. John Washington is be- 
lieved to have been a military man in early 
life. His will, now at Mount Vernon, is en- 
dorsed thus : " The will of Lieutenant 
Colonel Washington." This will contains 
a small bequest to the church, and affords 
evidence that he was a pious man. As the 
parish in which he lived has always borne 
his name, he was probably very instru- 
mental in establishing it. 



10 EARLY LIFE OP 

John Washington had three children, Law- 
rence, John and Ann. Lawrence Washing- 
ton, the oldest son and the grandfather of 
George, inherited the Pope's Creek farm. — 
Augastin Washington, the son of Lawrence 
and the father of George, w^as born in the 
year 1694. He was probably the eldest son 
of Lawrence, as he inherited the patrimonial 
estate at Pope's Creek. 

Augustin Washington was married twice. 
His first wife Avas Jane Butler, by whom he 
had four children, viz. Butler, Lawrence, 
Augustin, jun. and Jane. Butler and Jane 
died young. Lawrence and Auguatin lived 
to be men. The second wife was Mary 
Bail, a young lady of highly respectable 
family in the northern part of Virginia. — 
George was the first fruit of this union. He 
was the oldest of six children, viz. George, 
Elizabeth, Samuel, John Augustin, Charles 
and Mildred. Mildred died very young. — 
George was baptized April the 5th, 1732. 

The church of England was then almost 
tlie only denomination of christians in the 
colony of Virginia. The parents of George 
Washington were members of this church, 
and brought up their family in the habit of 
regular attendance on public worship. 



WASHINGTON, 11 

The first school tliat George atteiidedj 
was kept by Mr. Hobby, an elderly man, 
who was both the school master and the 
sexton of the parish. By this old'' man, the 
father of his conntry was first taught to read. 
Although George's father sent him to this 
school, he took upon himself the oversight 
of his education, and the pleasing duty of 
early instilling into his mind the principles 
of piety and virtue.' His manner of doing 
this appears by the following anecdotes, 
which were related to the Rector of Mount 
Vernon Parish, by a venerable lady now de- 
ceased, who, as a friend and relative, spent 
many of her youthful days in the family. 

One fine morning in the autumn of 1737, 
Mr. Washington, having George, then five 
years old, by the hand, came to the door 
and invited cousin Washington and myself 
to walk with them to the orchard, promising 
to show us a fine sight. On arriving at the 
orchard, we were presented with a fine sight 
indeed. The ground, as far as we could see, 
was covered with mellow apples, and yet 
the trees were bending under the weight of 
their fruit. " George," said his father, 
"don't you remember, my son, when this 
good cousin of yours brought you that fine 
I large apple, last spring, that I could hardly 



12 EARLY LIFE OP 

prevail upon you to divide it with your 
brothers and sisters? And don't you re^ 
member I then told you we ought to be 
generous to each other because the Almighty 
is so bountiful to us?" Poor George could 
not say a word, but hanging down his head, 
looked quite confused. " Now look around, 
my son," continued his father, ''and see 
how kindly the Almighty has treated us, 
and learn from this how we ought to treat 
our fellow creatures." George looked a 
while in silence on the abundance of fruit 
before him, then lifting his eyes to his father, 
he said, with emotion, '' Well, father, only 
forgive me this time, and see if I am ever so 
stingy any more." 

Mr. Augustine Washington took great 
pains early to inspire his son George with 
the love of truth. The following anecdote 
shows that his endeavors were not without 
success. 

When George was about six years old, he 
became the owner of a hatchet, with which, 
like most other little boys, he was very 
much delighted. He w^ent about choppin 
every thing that came in his way. One 
day, in the garden, he unluckily tried the 
edge of his hatchet upon the body of a 
beautiful young English cherry tree, which 



WASHINGTON. 13 

he cut so badljr that the tree never recovered 
from the injury. The next morning his 
father seeing what had befallen the tree, 
which, by the by, was a great favorite with 
him, came into the house, and with much 
warmth, asked who had done the mischief, 
declaring at the same time, that he would 
not hav^e taken five guineas for the tree. — 
Nobody could tell him any thing about it. 
Presently George and his hatchet made their 
appearance. " George," said his father, "do 
you know who cut that beautiful cherry 
tree yonder in the garden ?" George was 
taken by surprise. He hesitated for a mo- 
ment ; but he soon recovered himself. — 
Looking at his father, he said, "I will not 
tell a lie, father, I cut it with my hatchet." 
The delighted father, embracing his child, 
said, " No matter about the tree, George ; 
you have frankly told me the truth. Though 
you saw I was offended, you were not afraid 
to do right. The pleasure I enjoy to wit- 
ness this noble conduct in my son is of more 
value to me than a thousand such trees." 

Mr, Washington took the following method 
to impress upon his son the existence and 
wisdom of God from the evidence of design 
in his works. 



14 * EARLY LIFE OF 

On a bed in the garden, Avell prepared for 
tlie purpose, he traced with a stick the letters 
of his son's name. He then very carefuUy 
sowed seed in the small furrows made by 
the stick, covered it over and smoothed the 
ground nicely vv^ith a roller. In a few days 
the S3ed came up, and exhibited in large 
letters, the words George Washington. — 
They soon caught the eye for which they 
were intended. Again and again the as- 
tonished boy read his name, springing up 
from the earth, fresh and green. He ran to 
his father and exclaimed, " O father ! come 
here ! come with me and I will show you 
such a sight as you never saw in all your 
life." Eagerly seizing his father's hand, he 
tugged him along through the garden to the 
spot. '' Look there, father," said he, ''did 
you ever see such a sight before ?" " It is 
a curious affair, indeed, George." " But, fa- 
ther, who made my name there ?" " It grew 
there, my son." "I know it grew there, 
but who made the letters so as to spell ray 
name ?" " Did they not grow so by chance, 
my son?" " O no, sir, they never grew so 
by chance." " Why not, my son ?" " No- 
body," said George, " ever saw a single letter 
grow up by chance ; and how could a whole 
name grow up so even and be spelled so 



WASHINGTON. 15 

exactly right by chance ? Somebody planted 
it so." " That is true, George. I planted^ 
it so," said Mr. Washington, and showed' 
him how he did it. " Now, George, if letters 
could not grow so as to spell your name by 
chance, how could the world and all the 
things and creatures in it be made so exactly 
suited to each other and to some useful pur- 
pose, by chance ?" 

Thus happily and profitably to young 
Washington passed the days of his earliest 
years. Mr. Washington's family govern- 
ment was steady and reasonable ; his treat- 
ment of his children was kind and affec- 
tionate. George was an intelligent boy and 
a dutiful son. Never were parent and child 
more strongly attached. But, in the provi- 
dence of God, only a few years more were 
to be allowed them for the enjoyment of 
each others society, on earth. 

About the year 1739, when George was 
about seven years old, his father removed 
from his estate on Pope's Creek to a farm 
which he owned in Stafford county, on the 
Rappahannock river, directly opposite to 
Fredericksburg. 

Lawrence Washington, the elder of 
George's two half-brothers, became of age 
in 1739, and soon afterwards received a 



16 EARLY LIFE OP 

Captain's commission in a regiment raised 
in America, and served with the British 
forces in the unsuccessful siege of Cartha- 
gena, conducted by Admiral Vernon and 
General Wentworth. TTaving been absent 
in the army about two years, Captain Wash- 
ington returned to Virginia. A few months 
after his return, his father was taken ill. — 
George was then on a visit to some of his 
acquaintances, living in Chotanct, in King 
George county, about twenty miles from his 
father's residence. Mr. Washington was at 
first unwilling to interrupt George in the 
enjoyment of his visit ; but after his sickness 
became alarmin^:, George was sent for, and 
reached home out just in time to receive the 
parting blessing of his beloved father. He 
died on the 12th of April, 1743, at the age of 
forty-nine years. George was then eleven 
years old. 



CHAPTER SECOND. 

Family anecdote — George lives with his half-broth 
Augustine about three years, and attends Mr. W- 
liam's school — his manuscript book of forms — hi- 
rules of behavior. 

About this time, Captain Lawrence Wash- 
ington married Ann, the daughter of Mr, 
William Fairfax, a relation of Lord Thomas 
Fairfax, 



WASHINGTON. 17 

Mr. Augustine Washington left his estate 
on the river Potomac, in Fairfax county, to 
his eldest son, Lawrence, who called it 
Mount Vernon, in honor of Admiral Vernon. 
He left his estate ri Pope's Creek to his 
second son, Augustine. Mrs. Augustine 
Washington and her family continued to 
reside on the farm near Fredericksburg. — 
Upon her now devolved the care of the 
plantation. Her first born son, George, con- 
tinued to live with her some months after 
his father's death. During this period, a 
circumstance happened which shows that 
George, though a good boy on the whole, 
was not wholly exempt from youthful rash- 
ness. His mother owned a' beautiful colt, 
which, never having been broken, was re- 
markably wild. George delighted to look 
at this colt as he pranced about the pasture, 
snuffing up the wind, wheeling and halting 
^nd displaying his fine proportions. He 
oJen wished himself upon the colt's back. 
One day he engaged some of his school com- 
inions to come early the next morning and 
Ae\p him to take a ride before breakfast. — 
They came, and found the colt at no great 
distance from the house. After a great deal 
of difficulty they contrived to corner him 
and put a bridle upon him. Several boys 
2 



18 EARLY LIFE OF 

held the bridle while George leaped upon 
his back. A violent struggle followed. — 
The horse seemed determined to shake off 
his rider, and his rider seemed equally de- 
termined to keep his seat. At length the 
noble animal, in the fury of his plunges, fell 
headlong and burst a blood vessel. This 
killed him instantly. George received no 
injury by the fall ; but when he saw the 
poor creature lie dead, and considered his 
mother's attachment to the animal, he began 
to look very serious. The call to breakfast 
was soon heard. Some of George's com- 
panions had been invited to take breakfast 
with him that morning. The boys were all 
remarkably silent at the table. Whether 
Mrs. Washington had any suspicions that 
all was not right, is uncertain. But she in- 
quired if they had seen any thing of her 
fine sorrel colt, in their rambles. Neither 
of the boys replied to this question. She 
repeated it. There was now no escape. — 
George's character for truth and frankness 
had been tried when he was much younger. 
It did not then fail ; it must not now fail. 
"Your sorrel colt is dead, mother," replied 
George. "Dead, George !" exclaimed Mrs. 
Washington, with surprise. " Yes, he is 
dead." "How came he dead, George ?" — 



WASHINGTON. 19 

^- 1 will tell you, mother. I am the one in 
fault." He then related all the circum- 
stances just as they happened. " I very 
much regret the loss of my colt," said Mrs. 
Washington ; '' but I rejoice to hear my son 
frankly tell the truth, without showing any 
disposition to cast his own faults upon 
others."' 

Soon after this occurrence, George was 
sent to Pojje's Creek, the place of his na- 
tivity, to live with his half-brother Au- 
gustine. The chief object of sending him 
there was that he might have the benefit of 
a respectable school in the neighborhood, 
kept by a Mr. Williams. He remained with 
his half brother and attended that school 
about three years. An old gentleman, who 
was one of Mr. Williams's scholars at that 
time, has often said that such was George's 
reputation for truth, impartiality and good 
judgment among his schoolmates, that they 
were continually referring their disputes to 
him, and so great was their confidence in 
him, that his decisions were seldom called 
in question. He said nothing was more 
common, when the boys were in high dis- 
pute about some question of fact, than for 
one of them to call out, '' Well, boys, George 
Washington was there ! George Washington 



•20 EAULY LIFE OF 

was there ! He knows all about it; and if 
he don't say it was so, why then we will 
give it up.'' 

Though George Washington was naturally 
of a resolute and martial spirit, he was ha- 
bitually gentle and obhging in his conduct. 
He never quarrelled with his companions : 
and he would always endeavor to settle their 
quarrels with each other. If he could not 
calm their passions and prevent their fight- 
ing by his arguments, he would inform the 
instructor of their barbarous intentions ; 
though by doing so he often brought upon 
himself their censure at the time. 

At Mr. Williams's school, George was 
taught Arithmetic, English Grammar, Book 
Keeping, Surveying and Geography.* He 
wrote his school exercises in aritlnnatic and 
geometry in a remarkably neat, fair hand. 
The number and accuracy of his geometrical 
figures, shows the strong bent of his incli- 
nation to mathematical studies. When he 
was thirteen years old, he began a manu- 
script book, which he entitled " Fodrs of 
Writing. ^^ In it he copied out v.^ith great 
care and exactness, forms of different kinds 
used in the transaction of business, such as 

* Weems. 



WASllINCTOX. 21 

a note of hand, a bill of exchange, a bond, 
an indenture, a lease, a will. Then follow 
two or three select pieces of poetr^^ Among 
them are ''Lines on True Happiness."' — ■ 
Then follow a collection of a hundred and 
ten maxims, written out and numbered. — 
These he entitles " Rules of civility and 
proper behavio?- in company and conversa- 
tion.'^ He does not mention from what 
source he derived these rules. They seem 
well calculated to improve the manners and 
morals of a young person, and no doubt had 
a favorable influence in forming the future 
deportment and character of Washington. 
The following is a selection from these 
rules. 

1. Every action in company ought to be respectful 
to those present. 

2. In the presence of others sing not to yourself with 
a hummino; noise, nor drum with your fingers or feet. 

3. Sit not while others are standing ; speak not when 
you should hold your peace ; walk not on when others 
stop. 

4. Turn not your back to others, especially in speak- 
ing ; jog not the table or desk on which another is read- 
ing or writing; lean not on any one. 

5. Be no flatterer. 

(j. Read no letters, books or papers in company, un- 
less there is necessity for doing it, and then ask leave, 



22 EARLY LIFE OF 

Come not near the books or writings of any one, so as 
to read them, unless desired ; nor give your opinion of 
them unasked : also look not nigh when another is 
writing a letter. 

7. Let your countenance be pleasant, but in serious 
matters somewhat grave. 

8. Show not yourself glad at the misfortunes of 
another, though he were your enemy. 

9. When you meet a superior at a door or in a narrow 
passage, give way for him to pass. 

10. They that are in dignity, or in office, have in all 
places the precedency. 

11. It is good manners to prefer those to v^hom we 
speak before ourselves; especially if they be above us, 
with whom we ought not to begin. 

12. Let your discourse with men of business be short 
and comprehensive. 

13. When visiting the sick, do not be too ready to 
play the physician. 

14. In Avriting or speaking, give to every person his 
due title, according to his degree and the custom of the 
place. 

15. Undertake not to teach another in the art which 
he professes : it savors of arrogancy. 

16. When a person docs all he can, do not blame 
him, though he does not succeed. 

17. Being about to advise or reprehend any one, con- 
sider whether it ought to be done in public or in private, 
presently or at some other time, in what terms to do it; 
and in reproving, show no signs of choler, but do it 
with mildness. 



WASHINGTON. 23 

18. Mock not, nor jest at any thing serious. 

19. Wherein you reprove another, be unblamable 
yourself; for example is more prevalent than precept. 

20. Use no reproachful language against any one, 
neither curse, nor revile. 

21. Be not hasty to believe reports to the disadvan- 
tage of others. 

22. In your apparel be modest, and endeavor to ac- 
commodate nature rather than to procure admiration ; 
keep to the fashions of your equals : such as are civil 
and orderly with respect to times and places. . 

23. Play not the peacock, looking every whereabout 
your person to see if you be well decked, and if your 
clothes set handsomely. 

24. Associate with persons of good character, if you 
have a regard for your own ; for it is better to be alone, 
than in bad company. 

2-5. Let your conversation be without malice or envy, 
and in all cases of passion, admit reason to govern. 

20. Be not immodest in urging your friend to dis- 
cover a secret. 

27. Utter not base or frivolous things among grave 
or learned men ; nor introduce deep subjects or difficult 
questions among the ignorant ; nor things hard to be 
believed. 

28. Jest not where none takes pleasure in mirth ; 
laugh not loud, nor at all, without occasion. Deride 
no man's misfortune. 

29. Speak not injurious words, neither in jest nor in 
earnest ; scoff at none, though they give occasion^ 



24 EARLY LIFE OF 

30. Be not forward, but friendly and courteous \ the 
first to salute, hear and answer. 

31. Detract not from others ; neither be excessive in 
commending. 

32. Give not advice without being asked. 

33. Reprehend not the imperfections of others ; for 
that belongs to parents, masters and superiors. 

34. Gaze not at the marks, or personal blemishes of 
others ; nor ask how they came. 

35. Think before you speak ; pronounce not imprc- 
fectly, nor bring out your words too hastily, but or- 
derly and distinctly. 

3C. When another speaks, be attentive and disturb 
not the audience. If a person hesitate in his words, do 
not in general help him out, nor prompt him without 
being desired ; interrupt him not, nor answer him, till 
he has done speaking. 

37. Treat with men about business only at fit times. 
Whisper not in company. 

38. Make no injurious comparisons; and if any of 
the company be commended for a brave or virtuous 
action, commend not another innnediately upon it for 
a similar action. 

39. Be not apt to relate news if you know not the 
truth of it. In conversing of what you have heard, do 
not always name your author. Discover not a secret. 

40. Be not curious to know the affairs of others ; 
neither approach those who are speaking in private. 

41. Undertake not what you cannot perform; but be 
careful to keep your promises. 



WASHINGTON. 25 

42. Be not tedious in discourse ; make not many di- 
gressions, nor repeat the same thing often. 

43. Speak not evil of the absent, for it is unjust. 

44. Eat not with greediness; lean not on the table. 

45. Set not yourself at tlie upper end of the table; 
but if the master of the house will have it so, contend 
not, lest you trouble the company. 

4G. When you speak of God, or his attributes, let it 
be seriously and with reverence. Honor and obey 
your natural parents. 

47. Let your recreations be manful, not sinful. 

48. Labor to keep alive in your breast that little 
spark of celestial fire called conscience. 



CHAPTER THIRD. 

Came very near entering the British Navy at the age 
of fourteen — attends school at Fredericksburg — be- 
comes a practical surveyor at the age of sixteen — the 
Indian war dance — continues surveying three years 
— is appointed Adjutant General of the Militia, with 
the rank of Major, at the age of nineteen — accom- 
panies his lialf-brother Lawrence to Barbadoes — 
Lawrence dies and leaves George the Mount Vernon 
estate. 

While George lived with his half-brother 
Augustine at Pope's Creek, he was taught 
the manual exercise by Adjutant Muse, a 
Westmoreland volunteer, who had been in 
the service with his other half-brother, Law- 
rence. He was also instructed in the art of 



'26 EARLY LIFE OF 

fencing, by Mr. Van Braam, who afterwards 
accompanied liim against the French as his 
interpreter.* 

In the summer of 1746, George left Mr. 
WiUiams's school in Westmoreland county, 
and returned home to his mother's, in Staf- 
ford county. He was then about fourteen 
years old. Soon after his return he became 
very desirous to enter the British navy. — 
His half-brother Lawrence approved his 
choice. Mr. William Fairfax, the father-in- 
law of Lawrence, was desirous that George's 
inclination for the navy should be gratified. 
They both used their influence with his 
mother in favor of the project. She at first 
seemed to consent, though reluctantly. — 
Lawrence procured him a midshipman's 
warrant. Bat as the time of separation drew 
near, her maternal feelings and more mature 
reflection caused his mother to waver in her 
decision. She suggested many objections 
to the plan ; and seemed to listen with more 
satisfaction to those wlio opposed, than to 
those who approved of it. In September, 
during her suspense upon the subject, George 
went to see and further consult his brother 
Lawrence at Mount yernon,and other friends 
in the county of Fairfax. On this occasion 

" J. Sparks. 



WASHINGTON. 27 

he spent a little time at the house of Mr. 
William Fairfax, who is said to have been 
an amiable and excellent man. During this 
visit, George told Mr. Fairfax that he was 
willing to follow the adv^ice of his brother 
Lawrence, as his best friend. On his re- 
turn home, however, George found his 
mother so decidedly opposed to his going to 
sea, and her feelings so tenderly affected at 
the thought of his leaving her, that he gave 
it up entirely ; thinking it his duty to sacri- 
fice his inclinations, in this case, to her hap- 
piness. When we consider that this scheme 
was suited to captivate his youthful fancy, 
that it was encouraged by some of his most 
judicious friends, and that the necessary 
preparations were made for carrying it into 
effect, it is evident that the sacrifice was 
great, and a proof of filial affection and duti- 
ful regard highly honorable to him. It must 
be admitted that the mother's feelings were 
truly parental, and her wishes reasonable, 
when it is considered that George was her 
eldest son, that his father was dead, and that 
she was left with five younger children. — 
This decision was probably an event of 
Providence, upon which the very existence 
of the United States, as an independent na- 
tion, depended. 



28 EARLY LIFE OF 

After this, George lived a part of his time 
with his brother Lawrence, at Mount Ver- 
non, and a part of the time with his mother, 
near Fredericksburg, and went to school in 
that town. Here he made great improve- 
ment in the art of surveying. 

In March, 1748, being then sixteen years 
old, he engaged as a surveyor of lands, as- 
sociated with Mr. George Fairfax, ni the 
employ of Lord Thomas Fairfax. They 
set out on a surveying tour to the western 
parts of Virginia, on the 13th of March, ac- 
companied by their assistants, and travelled 
in a north westerly direction, nearly in 
range with the Potomac. The first day 
they rode to the residence of Lord Fairfax, 
in Frederick county, passing through beauti- 
ful groves of sugar trees, and admiring the 
richness of the land upon the river Shenan- 
doah. The next day they sent on their 
baggage to a place now called Winchester, 
and worked industriously for several suc- 
ceeding days, surveying land in the neighbor- 
hood. They then travelled about forty 
miles further into the country, in a continual 
rain, swimming their horses over the rivers, 
which were then very high. Just after the 
rain ceased and the weather had cleared 
away, they were agreeably surprised by the 



WASHINGTON. 



^0 



appearance of more than thirty friendly 
liidians, returning from war. The survey- 
ing party remained to witness the perform- 
ance of their war dance. After clearing a 
large space of ground and making a fire in 
the middle of it, the Indians seated them- 
selves around the fire. The speaker then 
made a grand speech, in which he told them 
in what manner they were to dance. When 
the speech was ended, the hest dancer 
jumped up as if suddenly awaked from sleep, 
and ran and jumped about the ring in a most 
comical manner. He was soon followed by 
the others, in a similar style. Their dance 
was accompanied by appropriate music. — 
One Indian beat time upon a deer-skin 
stretched tightly over a vessel half full of 
water, while another rattled a goard shell 
with shot in it, and a piece of a horse's tail 
tied to it, to make it look finely. 

One windy night, about a week after, 
the straw on which Washington was asleep, 
in the tent, took fire ; but one of the party 
fortunately awoke in time to extinguish it. 
A few days after, their tent Avas blown down 
by the violence of the wind. They occa- 
sionally shot a wild turkey or two, which 
they cooked upon forked sticks instead of 
spits, and ate upon large chips instead of 



30 EARLY LIFE OF 

plates. After becoming fatigued by travel- 
ling about all day, they usually camped out 
in the forest, and slept with their clothes on 
all night. During this tour, young Wash- 
ington and his party surveyed between two 
and three thousand acres of land, and arrived 
safely home on the 12th of April, having 
been absent just one month. 

For three years, young Waslnngton was 
occupied nearly all the time, when the sea- 
son would permit, in surveying wild lands 
among the Alleghany mountains and on the 
southern branches of the river Potomac* 
His surveying expeditions were attended 
with so many hardships and privations, that 
he was rarely out more than a few weeks at 
a time, upon any one of them. In the in- 
tervals of these expeditions, he made it his 
home with his brother Lawrence, at Mount 
Vernon, though he passed a part of his time 
with his mother.* 

In the year 1751, young Washington, 
though but nineteen years of age, was ap- 
pointed Adjutant General of the northern 
division of the Virginia militia, with the 
rank of Major.f 

The health of his brother Lawrence had 
been declining for several years. He had 

* J. Sparks. t Marshall, 



WASHINGTON. 31 

made a voyage to England, and afterwards 
passed some time at the Bath springs, in 
Mrginia, without receiving any material 
l)cncfit from either. In the antnnni of 17^1, 
lie decided to take a voyage to the West 
Indies, as the last remedy proposed by his 
physicians. By his request, his brother 
George, to whom he was much attached, 
accompanied him on this voyage. They 
sailed for the island of Barbadoes on the 
2Sth of September, and arrived there about 
the 3d of November. They procured a 
pleasant and airy place to board, near the 
sea shore, and were treated with great hos- 
pitality and attention by the principal in- 
habitants on the island. George was pleased 
with the richness of the soil, the value of 
the crops, the variety and excellence of the 
fruits, and the elevated and beautiful pros- 
pects in every direction. He was seized 
with the small pox on the 17th of Novem- 
ber, and it was nearly a month before he re- 
covered from it. On the 22d of November, 
he embarked on board a vessel called the 
Industry, for Virginia, leaving his brother 
still at Barbadoes. After a tempestuous 
passage of more than five weeksj he arrived 
in Virginia. 



32 EAULY LIFE oJ' 

Lawrence, not receiving the relief ex- 
pected from the chmate of Barbacloes, went 
to Bermuda, in March. His health con- 
tinuing to fail, he retiuiied home in the 
course of the summer, and died at Mount 
Vernon, July 26, 1752. George was at 
Mount Yernon when his brother died, and 
immediately took charge of his affairs. On 
opening his will, it Avas found that he had 
given to George the Mount Vernon estate, 
and some valuable lands in Berkley county. 
Virginia. 



CHAPTER FOURTH. 

Washington's mission from the Governor of Virginia 
to the French commandant, at the age of twenty-one 
— narrowly escapes being killed by an Indian — came 
near being drowned in the Allegany river — visits 
Queen Aliquippa. 

Information had been received, from time 
to time, that the French were making en- 
croachments on what Avas deemed British 
territory, beyond the Allegany mountains, 
and that a French army was approaching 
from Canada to build forts on the Ohio river 
and to take possession of the whole country. 
As this territory was supposed to be within 
the limits of Virginia, the Governor of that 



WASHINGTON. 33 

colony* resolved to send a messenger with 
a letter to the French commandant on the 
Ohio, to demand of him an answer, to as- 
certain important facts, and to make useful 
observations. Major George Washington 
was selected for this arduous undertaking. 
His knowledge of the Indians, his habits of 
living and travelling in the woods acquired 
on his surveying expeditions, and certain 
traits in his character, well fitted him for 
this delicate and important mission, though 
he was not yet twenty-two years of age. — 
He was commissioned by the Governor on 
the 30th of October, 1753, and the same 
day set out upon his dangerous journey.— 
On the 14th of November he arrived at the 
mouth of Wills Creek, now Cumberland, on 
the river Potomac, having engaged a French 
interpreter and procured the necessary sup- 
ply of provisions, horses, &c., on the way. 
Here he engaged Mr. Gist, an experienced 
Indian trader, to accompany him ; also, an 
Indian interpreter, and four other men as 
attendants ; and with these men, left the 
place the next day. The excessive rains 
and the vast quantities of snow which had 
fallen, prevented their reaching the river 
Monongahela till the 22d of November.— 

* Dinwiddle. 

3 



34 EARLY LIFE OF 

Here they learned that expresses had been 
sent down the river a few days before, with 
information of the French General's death, 
and the return of the greater part of the 
French troops into Avinter quarters. 

As the late rains had rendered the rivers 
impassable without swimming their horses, 
Washington sent two of his men, with the 
baggage, in a canoe, about ten miles down 
the river Monongahela, to meet the rest of 
the party at the fork of the Ohio, now Pitts- 
burg. As young Washington arrived at the 
fork before the canoe, he spent some time 
in viewing the two rivers, Monongahela and 
Allegany, at and near their junction which 
forms the Ohio, and examining the land in 
the fork, which, having the command of 
both rivers, he thought well situated for a 
fort. 

On the Allegany river, about two miles 
above the fork, lived Shingiss, King of the 
Delawares, an Indian chief friendly to the 
English. Washington, Vv4th his attendants, 
called upon this chief, and invited him to 
attend a council a,t a place called Logstown, 
about twenty miles west of his residence. 
He accepted the invitation, and accompanied 
Washington and his men to Logstown. — 
They arrived about sunset. Washington 



WASIIIXCTON. l?5 

Ibuiid that the friendly chief, called the 
ilalf-Kingj whom he particularly wished to 
see, Avas out at his hunting cabin on little 
Beaver Creek, about fifteen miles distant. 
Washington, by his Indian interpreter, in- 
formed the Half-King's principal man at 
Logstown that he was a messenger to the 
French commandant, and was ordered to 
call upon the Sachems of the Six Nations 
and inform them of the fact. He then gave 
him a string of wampum and a twist of to- 
bacco, and desired him to send for the Half- 
King. The man promised to dispatch a 
runner for him the next morning. Wash- 
ington invited him and other chief men to 
his tent in the evenuig. They came and 
staid about an hour. About three o'clock 
in the afternoon of the next day, the Half- 
King arrived. He told Washington that 
the French had lately built tAvo forts about 
iifteen miles apart, one on Lake Erie, and 
the other on French Creek, which falls into 
the Allegany from the north, and near a 
small lake. He gave Washington a plan of 
both these forts, of his own drawing. He 
said the present French commandant was 
at the fort on French Creek, and that we 
could not reach in less than five or six nights 
sleep, in good travelling. The next day, 



^6 EARLY LIFE OF 

VYashiiiGfton met several chiefs in council, 
and delivered a friendly speech to them, in 
which he briefly stated the object of his 
visit, and requested an escort of warriors to 
the French commandant. This was replied 
to in the same spirit by the Half-King. — 
Runners were dispatched very early the 
next morning, for the purpose of assembling 
a more full council, but not many came. — 
It was, however, agreed to furnish Wash- 
ington and his men a convoy, to consist of 
three chiefs, namely, Half-King, Jeskakake 
and White Thunder, and one of their best 
hunters. 

They all set out from Logstown on the 
oOth of November, and travelled in con- 
tinual bad weather till the 4th of December, 
vvhen they reached Yenango, a settlement 
at the place where French Creek falls info 
the Allegany river. This place is now the 
town of Franklin, the capital of Venango 
county. The}^ saw the French colors flying 
at a house in Yenango. Washington went 
immediately to the house to inquire where 
the commandant resided. Here he found a 
Captain and three other French oflicers. — 
The Captain informed him that he, himself, 
had the immediate command on the river, 
but that there was a general officer at the 



WASIIIXGTOX. 37 

first fort above, to which he advised him to 
proceed with his dispatches. He invited 
Wasliiiigton and his party to sup with him 
and his officers, and treated them with great 
complaisance. The badness of the weather 
and the winning treatment which the Indians 
received from the French, combined to de- 
tain Washington and his party at Venango 
three days. Monsieur La Force, commissary 
of the French stores, with three soldiers, ac- 
companied them up the Creek. The travel- 
ling was so bad they did not reach the fort 
on French Creek till the 12th of December. 
The French commandant was the Cheva- 
lier de Saint Pierre, a knight of the mihtary 
order of St. Louis. VYashington waited ou 
him soon after his arrival, and was received 
and conducted to him by the second officer 
in command. Washington acquainted the 
Chevalier with his business, and presented 
his commission and letter. While the com- 
mandant was in consultation with his officers 
upon the communication from the Governor 
of Virginia, in a private apartment, Wash- 
ington embraced the opportunity of examin- 
ing the strength and taking the dimensions 
of the fort, and of making other observations. 
He was satisfied that the garrison contained 
upwards of a hundred soldiers. One of his 



38 EARLY LIFE OF 

people, by his direction, took an accoiiiit of 
upwards of two hundred canoes, haulded up 
and prepared to convey the French forces 
down the river at the proper season. 

On the 14th, the snow was so deep that 
Washington sent off his horses very hghtly 
loaded, in the care of four of his men, to 
Venango, having determined to go down 
himself, with the remainder of his party, in 
a canoe. Young Washington had to con- 
tend with a variety of mild and artful means 
used to detain his convoy of Indians, and 
to draw them away from the English in- 
terests. He was at length obliged to as- 
sume a tone of remonstrance before he could 
induce the French and Indians to part. — 
The French commandant, at last, ordered a 
plentiful store of provisions to be put on 
board Washington's boat, and appeared very 
friendly and complaisant. They had a te- 
dious passage down the Creek. They found 
it extremely crooked. Several times they 
came near being staved against the rocks. 
At times they were all hands obliged to get 
out, and remain in the water half an hour 
or more, getting over the shoals. At one 
])lace, the ice had lodged and blocked up the 
passage by water, so that they were obHged 
to carry their boat a quarter of a mile across 



WA?;iII\GTOX. 39 

a neck of lond. They did not reach Ve- 
nango till the 22d. Here they found their 
horses. 

The next day, when Washington was 
prepared to leave Venango, he inquired of 
the Half-King whether he intended to go 
down with him by land or to go by water. 
He rephed that White Thunder had hurt 
himself badly, and was sick and unable to 
walk, and that he must carry him down in 
a canoe. As Vv'ashington found that the 
Half-King intended to stay behind a few 
days, he cautioned him against the flatteries 
of the French. He desired Washington not 
to be concerned, for he knew the French 
too Vv^ell to be influenced by them against 
the English. He offered to order the young 
hunter to attend Washington and his party, 
and procure provisions for them on their 
journey. He said he should soon be at the 
forks, and there deliver a speech, to be 
carried to his Honor the Governor of Vir- 
ginia. Washington then took leave of the 
Half-King, and with his party left Venango. 

They had not proceeded far, before the 
horses seemed to be so feeble, and the bag- 
gage so heavy for them, that Washington 
and his party, except the drivers, dismounted 
and went on foot with packs on their backs 



40 EARLY LIFE OF 

to help forward the baggage. Washington, 
in an Indian walking dress, continued with 
his men three days under this arrangement, 
till he found there was no probability of 
his reaching home in this manner, in any 
reasonable season. He then committed the 
party to the charge of his French interpreter 
with proper directions, tied himself up in a 
watch coat, put his necessary papers into his 
pack with his provisions, took his gun in his 
hand; and set forward with Mr. Gist, fitted 
in the same manner, the nearest way home 
throLivgh the woods. The day following^ 
just after they had passed a place called 
Murdering Town^ they fell in with a party 
of Indians in the French interest, who had 
been lying in wait for them. One of the 
Indians fired at Washington, not fifteen 
steps from him, but providentially missed 
him. They instantly took the fellow into 
custody, and kept him with them till about 
nine o'clock in the evening, when they let 
him go, and walked all night without mak- 
ing any stop, that they might get so far the 
start of the Indians as to be out of the reach 
of their pursuit the next day, having no 
doubt their tracks would be followed as soon 
as it was light. 



WASHINGTON. 41 

The next day they continued travelling 
till it was quite dark, when they reached 
the Allegany river about two miles above 
the forks of the Ohio. There was no way 
for them to get over the river but upon a raft. 
The next morning they set about making 
one, with the assistance of but one poor 
hatchet, and finished it just after sunset. — • 
The next day they launched it, went on 
board and pushed off: but before they were 
half across the river, they were so wedged 
in between flakes of ice running forcibly 
down stream, that they expected every mo- 
ment their raft would sink and themselves 
perish. Young Washington put out his 
setting pole to stop the raft, that the ice 
might pass by it, when the rapidity of the 
stream threw the ice with so much violence 
against his pole that it jerked him into the 
river. He instantly seized hold of one of 
the raft logs and saved himself from the 
dashing flakes of ice, by springing to his 
former station on the raft. In spite of all 
their efl'orts they could not get to either 
shore ; but were obliged to quit their raft 
and pass from one mass of ice to another, 
till they reached a small island in the river. 
Here they spent the night. The cold was 
so extremely severe that Mr. Gist had all 



42 EARLY LIFE OF 

his fingers and part of his toes frozen. They 
left the island the next morning, on the ice, 
without difficulty, and went to the house of 
a trader, on the Monongahela, a few miles 
distant. About three miles from this house, 
there was an Indian settlement on the spot 
where the Monongahela and Yonghiogany 
rivers unite, where the Indian Q.ueen Alli- 
quippa held her rude court. She had ex- 
pressed great concern that Washington a,nd 
his party had passed her by without at- 
tention, on his way to the French fort ; and, 
as he was now waiting for horses, (which, 
by the by, he failed to obtain,) he took this 
opportunity to make a visit to her majesty. 
Though it is evident that Queen AUiquippa, 
like persons of similar rank and birth in 
Europe, was very tenacious of the respect 
due to royalty, we are not informed by 
Washington, with what particular marks of 
attention she received him. We may, how- 
ever, form some idea of the style wliich he 
found prevalent at court, from the nature of 
the present which he made her. He pre- 
sented her with a box coat. 

About thirty miles from this Indian set- 
tlement, Washington bonght a fresh horse, 
rode on to Wills Creek, and reached Wil- 
liamsburg on the 16th of January, 1754. — 



V.ASIIINGTON. 4'3 

He immediately waited upon the Governor, 
delivered his letter from the French com- 
mandant, together with a journal of his pro- 
ceedings and observations during the tour. 
This journal was published in England, and 
has been several times reprinted in this 
country. Major Washington thus completed 
his perilous expedition, and accomplished 
the objects of it in such a faithful and able 



CHAPTER FIFTH. 

Major Washington, at the age of twenty-two, is ap- 
pointed to command the regular Virginia forces, con- 
sisting of two companies — being increased to six 
companies, he is raised to the rank of Lieutenant 
Colonel, and made second in command — his modesty 
— the fort, just begun at the fork of the Ohio, sur- 
renders to the French — Washington attacks and de- 
feats a party of French. 

By the then existing law of Virginia, the 
militia could not be required to march more 
than five miles beyond the boundary line 
of the colony. For this reason, if for no 
other, the militia alone could not be de- 
pended upon for the defence of the colony. 
After Washington's return, the Governor 
and council of Virginia determined to raise 



44 EARLY LIFE OF 

two companieSj of one hundred men each, 
by enhstment, and send them to erect and 
defend a fort at the fork of the Ohio, now 
Pittsburg, that being the spot pointed out 
by Washington as well situated for a fort. 
Major Washington, then but twenty-two 
years old, was appointed to command these 
two companies. He was to enlist one of 
the companies himself, and he did enlist 
about fifty men. Captain Trent, having 
partly filled the other company in the back 
settlement, was ordered immediately to the 
place of destination. It was soon determined, 
however, to increase this force to three 
hundred men, and to divide them into six 
companies. In a letter to a friend of his, 
then a member of the Governor's council, 
Major Washington says : " The command of 
this whole force I neither expect nor desire; 
for I must be impartial enough to confess, 
it is a charge too great for my youth and 
inexperience. Knowing this, I have too 
sincere a love for my country to undertake 
that which may tend to the prejudice of it." 
Young Washington was, however, raised 
to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and made 
second in command. He left Alexandria 
with his troops, for the frontier, on the 2d 
of April, 1754, and being joined by a small 



WASHINGTON. 45 

detachment in his route, arrived at Wills 
Creek on the 20th, with one hundred and 
fifty men. He was here met by Captain 
Trent's ensign, Mr. Ward, directly from the 
fort just begun at the fork of the Ohio, with 
the unpleasant information that he had been 
obliged to surrender to a French force of 
one thousand men, with eighteen pieces of 
cannon, on the 17th of April. He said that 
the Captain and the Lieutenant (Frazier) 
were both absent at the time, and that the 
whole number of men under his command 
Avas but forty-one. He stated that the 
French commander approached near the fort, 
halted his troops, and sent in an officer with 
a summons to surrender, allowing him but 
one hour to consider of it, and directing him 
to come to the French camp at the expira- 
tion of the hour, with his determination in 
Avriting. He asked the Half-King, who was 
in the fort at the time, what it was best to 
do. The chief advised him to inform the 
Frencli that he was not an officer of rank, 
nor invested with power to answer their 
summons, and request them to wait till his 
commander should arrive. He accordingly 
went with this reply to the French camp, 
accompanied by the Half-King ; but the 
French commander refused to wait. teUing 



4G EARLY LIFE OF 

them that he must have an immediate and 
decisive answer, or he should take possession 
of the fort by force. He then agreed to 
snrrender, with Uberty to depart with his 
men the next day. The French com.mander 
invited the ensign to supper in the evening, 
and treated him with much civility. The 
seizure of this post was considered by the 
British, at the time, the first open act of 
hostility in the memorable French war 
which followed it. The French fortified 
the post strongly, and called it Fort Du 
Q^uesne. 

Colonel Washington considered that the 
British territory was now actually invaded, 
and that it was his duty, in compliance with 
liis orders, to march forward prepared to 
meet the invading foe. A council of war 
was held, which confirmed this opinion, and 
resolved to proceed to the junction of Red 
Stone Creek with the river Monongahela, 
thirty-seven miles south of Fort Du Q^uesne, 
there build a fort and wait for reinforcements. 
(Jolonel Fry, the chief in command, being 
detained by bad health, Lieutenant Colonel 
Washington with his one hundred and fifty 
men, moved on through the wilderness and 
over the mountains with all possible dispatch. 
He first sent forward sixty men to prepare a 



WASHINGTON. 47 

passage by mending the road, and in some 
places making a new one ; and on the 1st of 
May, followed them with the main body. 
.In the course of the march, the friendly 
Indians brought to Washington frequent re- 
ports of French scouts being seen in the 
woods. When he had advanced about fifty 
miles beyond Wills Creek, he met a messen- 
ger from the Half-King, informing him that 
a French force (how large he could not tell) 
was on its march to attack the English, and 
Avarning him to be on his guard. This in- 
duced Washington to fall back a few miles 
to a fav^orable place for meeting the enemy, 
called the Great Meadows. Here he imme- 
diately employed his men in clearing away 
the bushes and throwing up an intrench- 
meht, and sent a small party to look out for 
the enemy and observe their strength and 
motions. But the party returned without 
seeing any thing of them. The troops were, 
however, alarmed in the night, and were 
underarms during the latter part of it. 

On the morning of May 27th, an English 
trader who lived in the neighborhood, came 
to the camp from his residence, where a de- 
tachment of fifty Frenchmen, he said, had 
been seen the day before at noon. He added 
that he saw their tracks himself about five 



48 eaULy life of 

miles distant. Washington immediately 
sent out seventy-five men in pursuit of this 
party ; but they returned without discover- 
ing it. Washington sent a messenger to the 
Half-King, who was encamped with some 
of his people about six miles distant. This 
messenger returned about nine o'clock in the 
evening, with information from the Half- 
King that he had seen the tracks of two 
Frenchmen across the road, which had been 
traced to an obscure part of the woods, and 
that he thought the main body of them 
must be concealed at no great distance. — 
Washington, suspecting a design to surprise 
him, set out that night with forty men for 
the Indian's camp. The night was dark 
and rainy, and they often lost the path and 
were unable to find it again for fifteen or 
twenty minutes. They, how^ever, arrived 
at the Indian's camp before sunrise. The 
Half-King agreed " to go hand in hand with 
their brothers the English," (as they called 
them,) ''and strike the French." Accord- 
ingly they set out together, and proceeded 
through the woods in single file, after the 
manner of the Indians, till they came to the 
place where the tracks were. The Half- 
King then sent two Indians to follow these 
tracks again, till they should find the very 



WASHINGTON. 49 

spot where the enemy lay. The two Indians 
soon discovered them about half a mile from 
the road, in a very retired place, surrounded 
by rocks. The men were immediately 
formed for the attack. They then advanced, 
with Washington at their head, till they 
came very near the French. The moment 
the French discovered them, they seized 
their arms. Washington gave the order to 
fire, and a brisk engagement ensued, which 
continued about fifteen minutes. The 
French were defeated with the loss of their 
whole party, except one who escaped, ten 
men being killed, including Jumonville, 
their commander, one wounded and twenty- 
one taken prisoners. Colonel Washington's 
loss was one man killed, and a Lieutenant 
and two privates wounded. As the French 
directed their fire chiefly at Washington's 
men, the Indians received no injury. This 
skirmish took place on the 28th of May, 
1754, at about seven o'clock in the morn- 
ing. It was the first battle in which Wash- 
ington had ever been engaged. 



50 EARLY LIFE OF 

CHAPTER SIXTH. 

Battle of the Great Meadows — vote of thanks to Colonel 
Washington and his officers — disapproving of the 
arrangement of the Virgiiiia troops, he retires from 
the service. 

Colonel Fry died at Wills Creek on the 
31st of May. By his death, the command 
of the expedition devolved on Washington. 
Reinforcements were soon forwarded, so 
that the whole number composing the Vir-! 
ginia regiment mider his immediate com- 
mand, was three hundred men. There was 
also with him an independent company from 
South Carolina, consisting of about one 
hundred men. With this force Colonel 
Washington advanced slowly and cautiously 
beyond the Great Meadows, employing his 
soldiers in repairing the road, and sending 
out scouting parties to watch the motions of 
the enemy. He also sent a party forward to 
clear a passage towards the mouth of Red 
Stone Creek, the place of the intended fort. 
He also held councils with several Indian 
chiefs who came to him for that purpose, 
heard and delivered speeches, exchanged 
belts of wampum, and went through the 
usual ceremonies on such occasions. But 
all this was to little purpose ; for some of 
the Indians were spies from the French, and 



WASHINGTON. 51 

the only motive of others was to obtain 
presents of goods and provisions. In this 
mode of gaining friends, tlie French were 
more snccessfal than the Enghsh, as they 
were better snpj)hed with such articles as 
the Indians wanted. 

While these operations were going on, re- 
ports were continually brought in by French 
deserters and Indians that reinforcements 
had arrived at Fort Du Quesne, and that a 
large force would soon come out to attack 
the English. These accounts came from 
many diflerent sources, some of which were 
so authentic that a council of war was held, 
in which it was unanimously resolved that 
the army should return to the Great Meadows, 
there fortify themselves in the best manner 
they could, and wait for a supply of pro- 
visions and reinforcements. The retreat 
immediately commenced. They had so 
few horses that the Colonel loaded his own 
horse with ammunition and other public 
stores, marched on foot himself, and paid the 
soldies from his own purse for carrying his 
private baggage. Other officers followed 
his example. The troops were short of ^iro- 
visions, and having to carry their baggage on 
their backs and draw nine swivels over a very 
broken road, they did not reach the Great 



52 EARLY LIFE OF 

Meadows till the 1st of July. The Colonel 
immediately sent off an express to hasten 
on the expected supplies and reinforcements, 
but they did not arrive. He set his men to 
felling trees, preparing and drawing together 
logs, and raising and strengthening the 
breastworks. This entrenchment was called 
Fort Necessity, on account of the circum- 
stances attending the erection and original 
use of it. 

On the third of July, early in the morn- 
ing, an alarm was given by a sentinel who 
had been wounded by the enemy. At nine 
O'clock, intelligence was received that the 
whole body of the French, amounting to 
nine hundred men, was only four miles dis- 
tant. They were commanded by M. De 
Yihiers, brother of Jumonville. At eleven 
O'clock they approached the fort, and began 
to fire, at the distance of six hundred yards, 
but without effect. Colonel Washington 
had drawn up his men on the open and level 
ground outside of the trenches, awaiting the 
attack, which he supposed would be made 
immediately, having ordered his men to re- 
serve their fire till the enemy were so near 
that it would certainly do execution. But 
the French kept up a distant firing from the 
woods. Washington considered this as a 



WASHINGTON. 53 

Stratagem to draw his men into the woods 
and there take them at a disadvantage. He 
therefore maintained his position till he 
fonnd that the French did not incline to 
leave the woods and attack the fort by as- 
sault, as he had thought they would, con- 
sidering their superiority of numbers. He 
then drew his men back within the trenches, 
and gave them orders to fire as they found 
favorable opportunities of doing so with ef- 
fect. The French and Indians remained on 
the side of a piece of rising ground near the 
fort, and sheltered by the trees, kept up a 
brisk fire of musketry upon it. but never ap- 
peared upon the open plain below. 

In this way, the battle continued till eight 
o'clock in the evening, Avhen the French 
called out and proposed a parley. Suspect- 
ing this to be a mere feint in order to pro- 
cure the admission of a French officer into 
the fort to spy out his condition, the Colonel 
at first declined the proposal ; but when the 
call was repeated, with the request that an 
officer might be sent to them, and with the 
pledge of their parol of honor for his safety, 
he sent out Captain Van Braam, the only 
person under his command who could speak 
French, excepting the Chevalier De Pay- 
rouny, an ensign in the Virginia regiment, 



54 EARLY LIFE OF 

who was dangerously wounded and disabled. 
Van Braam returned, and brought with him 
M. De Villiers and the proposed articles of 
capitulation. These he read and interpreted. 
After making some alterations in the articles, 
by mutual agreement, both parties signed 
them about midnight. 

By the terms of the capitulation, the 
whole garrison was to march out of the fort 
the next moriiing, with the honors of Avar, 
their drums beating and their colors flying ; 
and to return home with every thing in 
their possession, excepting their artillery, 
unmolested by the French or the savages. 
As the French had killed all the horses and 
cattle, Colonel Washington had no means 
of carrying away his heavy baggage and 
stores ; and the French agreed that a guard 
might be left to protect them, till horses 
could be sent to take them away. It was 
agreed that the prisoners taken at the skir- 
mish with Jumonville should be returned ; 
and to secure the performance of this article. 
Captain Yan Braam and Captain Stobo were 
delivered up to the French to be retained by 
them as hostages. Early the next morn- 
ing, Colonel Washington began his march 
from the fort in good order ; but he had not 
proceeded far, when a body of one hundred 



WASHINGTON. 55 

Indians came upon him and could hardly 
be restrained from attacking his men. They 
pilfered the baggage and did other mischief. 
He proceeded on, however, with as much 
speed as possible, till he arrived at Wells 
Creek settlement, now Cumberland, in the 
State of Maryland. Thence he proceeded 
to Williamsburg, and communicated to the 
Governor in person the events of the cam- 
paign. Much dissatisfaction was expressed 
with some of the articles of capitulation, 
when they were made public. The legis- 
lature of Virginia, however, after maturely 
considering them, passed a vote of thanks 
to Colonel Washington and his officers for 
their brave defence of the country. Indeed, 
all the proceedings of the campaign, though 
not finally successful, were generally ap- 
proved and applauded. 

The exact number engaged in the action 
at the Great Meadows, cannot be ascertained. 
According to a return made by Colonel 
Washington himself, the Virginia regiment, 
including officers, consisted of three hundred 
and five men, of which twelve were killed 
and forty-three wounded. The company of 
South Carolinians was said to contain about 
one hundred ; but the number of them 
killed and wounded is not known. The 



56 EARLY LIFE OF 

French force was probably not far from 
nine hundred. M. De ViUiers says he left 
Fort Du Q^uesne with five hundred French- 
men and eleven Indians. The number of 
French is probably correct ; but the Indians 
were much more numerous when they ar- 
rived at the scene of action. 

Although there was at this time a dis- 
agreement between the Governor and the 
Legislature of Virginia, which prevented the 
appropriation of money for the service, the 
Governor and his counsel resolved to renew 
the contest with the French without delay. 
When Washington was informed of this, he 
expostulated so warmly against attempting 
such an enterprise, without money, men, or 
provisions, that it was abandoned. 

The Assembly met in October, 1754, and 
granted £20,000. The Governor received 
from England £10,000 in specie, with the 
promise of as much more, and two thousand 
fire arms. The Governor and his counsel 
then resolved that the army should be divi- 
ded into ten independent companies, of one 
hundred men each, and should contain no 
officer above the rank of Captain. Wash- 
ington, disapproving of this singular'arrange- 
ment as unfavorable to the interest of the 
service, retired from the army to his farm. 



WASHINGTON. 57 

CHAPTER SEVENTH. 

Is invited by General Braddock to join his expedition 
as a volunteer — accepts the invitation — Battle of 
Monongahela — Washington conducts the retreat 
with ability, and retains the confidence of the public. 

On the 20th of February, 1755, General 
Braddock arrived in Virginia, from England, 
as Commander in Chief of all the military 
forces in North- America. He brought with 
him two Regiments of the British Army, 
consisting of five hundred men each. One 
of them was commanded by Sir Peter Hal- 
ket, and the other by Colonel Dunbar. 
These were accompanied by a proper train 
of artillery and sufficient military supplies 
and provisions. The General made his first 
head quarters at Alexandria. He addressed, 
through his Aid-de-Camp, a polite letter to 
Colonel Washington, inviting him, as he had 
declined any military command under the 
Virginia regulations, to join his family as a 
volunteer, and accompany him upon his in- 
tended expedition against Fort Du Gluesne, 
as one of his aids, and desiring him to con- 
sult his own pleasure and convenience, as 
to the particular time of joining the army. 
Colonel Washington accepted this invitation. 
General Braddock marched from Alexandria 
for Fort Cumberland at the mouth of Wills 



58 EARLY LIFE OF 

Creek on the 20th of April. Colonel Wash- 
ington left Mount Vernon on the 23d, and 
overtook the army in a few days at Freder- 
icktown, in Virginia. The army arrived at 
Fort Cumberland about the middle of May. 
It then consisted of more than two thousand 
men. About one thousand of them were 
colonial troops. The army was detained at 
this post three weeks ; nor could it then 
have moved on, but for the personal exer- 
tions of Benjamin Franklin, and his influ- 
ence among the Pennsylvanian farmers, in 
procuring horses and wagons, to transport 
the artillery, provisions, and baggage. Dur- 
ing the detention of the army at Fort Cum- 
berland, Colonel Vi^ashington was dispatched 
to Williamsburg, in the eastern part of Vir- 
ginia, to obtain £4000 in money, for the use 
of the army, and to bring it on to the camp. 
He promptly and successfully executed this 
commission, taking with him at Winchester, 
on his return, a sufficient guard of militia 
through the most unfrequented and danger- 
ous part of the route. 

About the first of June, a detachment was 
sent forward to open the roads as far as a 
place called Little Meadows, about twen- 
ty miles beyond Fort Cumberland, and 
there to erect a small Fort. The main body 



WASHINGTON. 59 

soon followed this detachment, and when 
they came np with it, the whole army was 
divided into two divisions. The advanced 
division under General Braddock, consisted 
of about twelve hundred men. The other 
division, consisting of about eight hundred 
men under Colonel Dunbar, was left in the 
rear to proceed with the baggage by slow 
marches. Washington says in a letter to 
his brother John Augustine, (the father of 
Judge Lund Washington,) written on the 
march, that the advance of the first division 
of the army, though retarted by many real 
obstacles and difficulties, was yet unneces- 
sarily slow, in consequence of halting to 
level too many mole hills, and to build 
bridges over too many brooks. Colonel Wash- 
ington accompanied the advanced division 
until a fever with which he was taken on t?ie 
march became so violent, that he was 
obliged to fall in the rear, into Colonel Dun- 
bar's division. 

General Braddock arrived with his divis- 
ion, all in fine health and spirits, at the 
junction of the Monongahela and Youghi- 
ogany rivers on the 8th of July. On the 
same day Colonel Washington, though but 
partially recovered from his fever, reached 
that place in a covered wagon, and joined 



60 EARLY LIFE OF 

the advanced division. Owing to a bend in 
the Monongahela, it was necessary for the 
army in approaching Fort Du Gtuesne, now 
about fifteen miles distant, to ford the river 
twice. The remarkable dryness of the sea- 
son rendered this practicable. Early in the 
morning of the 9th of July, all things were 
in readiness, and the whole train, a little be- 
low the mouth of the Youghiogany, pass- 
ed through the river Monongahela, and pro- 
ceeded in perfect order along the southern 
margin of it. Colonel Washington, though 
feeble, attended the General on horseback. 
He was often heard to say, in the course of 
his after life, that one of the most beautiful 
spectacles he had ever seen, was the display 
of the British troops on this eventful morn- 
ing. Every man was neatly dressed in full 
uniform. The soldiers were arranged in 
columns and marched in exact order. The 
sun gleamed upon their burnished arms. 
The river flowed tranquilly on their right, 
and the deep forest often overshadowed them 
on their left. When they had marched about 
five miles, they arrived to the second crossing 
place, ten miles from Fort Du Q^uesne. They 
halted a little, and then began to ford the 
river and gain its northern bank. As soon 
as they had crossed, they came to a level 



WASHINGTON. Gl 

j)iaiii. nearly half a mile in extent. At the 
end of the plain was a piece of gently rising 
ground, covered with trees, bushes and long 
grass. The road to Fort Du Cluesne led 
across this plain. It then led up the rising 
ground, between two ravines from eight to 
ten feet deep, and of sufficient extent to con- 
tain five hundred men each. Owing to the 
trees, bushes and high grass, these ravines 
could not be seen from the road, nor with- 
out coming within a fev/ feet of them. By 
the order of march, a body of three hundred 
men under Lieutenant Colonel Gage, after- 
wards commander of the British forces in 
Boston at the beginning of the revolution, 
formed the advanced party. This was fol- 
lowed by about two hundred. Next came 
General Braddock with the main body, the 
artillery and baggage. He sent out no 
scouts nor guards in advance and on the 
wings of the army to make discoveries and 
prevent a surprise. Washington advised 
him to proceed more cautiously, but he was 
self-confident and disregarded the advice. 

At 1 o'clock P. M. the whole army had 
crossed the river ; and almost at the same 
moment a sharp firing was heard upon the 
advanced parties, who were now ascending 
the rising ground. A heavy discharge of 



62 EARLY LIFE OF 

musketry poured in upon their front, gave 
them the first notice that an enemy was 
near. This was suddenly followed by 
another discharge upon their right flank. — 
These were followed by others in continual 
and rapid succession. They were filled 
with the greater consternation because no 
enemy was in sight, and the fire seemed to 
come from an invisible foe. They fired, 
however, in their turn, but at random and 
without effect. The General speedily ad- 
vanced to the relief of the detachments : 
but before he could reach them, they gave 
way and fell back upon the artillery and 
other columns, causing extreme confusion, 
and striking the whole mass with such a 
panic that no order could afterwards be re- 
stored. The yell of the savages with which 
the woods resounded, struck terror into the 
hearts of the British soldiers, and added to 
the consternation. The General and his 
officers behaved with the utmost courage. 
They made every effort to rally the men 
and ioring them to order, but all in vain. — 
In this state they continued nearly three 
hours, huddling together in confused bodies, 
firing irregularly, shooting down their own 
officers and comrades, and doing little or no 
harm to the enemy. The Virginians were 



WASHINGTON. 63 

the only troops who seemed to retain their 
senses. They behaved with bravery and 
resokition. They adopted the Indian mode, 
and fought each man for himself behind a 
tree. This was forbidden by the General, 
Avho endeavored to form the men into 
platoons and columns, as if he were manoe- 
vering them upon the plains of Flanders. — 
During all this time, the French and Indians 
concealed in the ravines and behind trees, 
kept up a continual and deadly discharge of 
musketry, singling out their objects, taking 
deliberate aim, and producing a carnage al- 
most unparallelled in the annals of modern 
warfare. More than half of that whole 
army which had crossed the river in such 
proud array only three hours before, were 
either killed or wounded. General Brad- 
dock, after having five horses shot under 
him, had received a mortal wound, and 
many of his best officers had fallen by his 
side. Sir Peter Halket was killed upon the 
spot. Colonel Washington had two horses 
shot under him, and his clothes were shot 
through in several places. The bodies left 
on the field were stripped and scalped by 
the Indians. All the artillery, ammunition, 
provisions, baggage, everything in the train 
of the army fell into the enemy's hands, 



64 EARLY LIFE OP 

and were given np to be pillaged by the 
savages. 

When the battle was over, and the rem- 
nant of the army had gained in their flight 
the opposite bank of the river, Colonel 
Washington was dispatched by the General 
to meet Colonel Dunbar, aaid order forward 
wagons for the wounded with all possible 
speed ; but they could not be procured till 
after the wounded had suffered much from 
pain, fatigue and hunger. The General 
was at first brought oif the field in a cart. — 
He was then set on horseback, but being 
unable to ride, was carried by the soldiers. 
They reached Dunbar's camp, near the 
Great Meadows, to w^ich the panic had 
already extended. A day was passed there 
in great confusion. General Braddock died 
on the 13th, and was buried in the road, for 
the purpose of concealing his body from the 
Indians. The spot is still pointed out with- 
in a few yards of the present national road, 
about a mile west of the site of Fort Ne- 
cessity, at the Great Meadows, in Pennsyl- 
vania. On the 17th, the sick and wounded 
arrived at Fort Cumberland on Wills Creek, 
and were soon after joined by Colonel Dun- 
bar with the remnant of the army. The 
French sent out a party as far as Dunbar's 



WASHINGTON. 6$ 

camp and destroyed every thing that had 
been left behind. 

As to the numbers engaged in the battle 
of Monongahela, on the side of the French, 
Washington conjectured, as appears by his 
letters, that they amounted to no more than 
three hundred. Doctor Franklin, in his ac- 
count of the battle, considers them as not 
exceeding four hundred at most. 

It appears by the French narratives of 
this battle, that while the commandant of 
Fort Du Q,uesne, considering his force too 
small to encounter his approaching enemy, 
was hesitating what measures to adopt, M. 
De Beaujeu, a Captain in the French service, 
obtained from his commandant a detach- 
ment of French troops, with leave to ad- 
vance with them and meet the enemy on 
their march. After much persuasion, Beau- 
jeu induced a considerable party of Indiang 
to join him. He began his march at an 
early hour on the morning of the 9th of 
July, intending to make a stand at the 
second fording place, there to annoy the 
English while passing the river, and then 
to retreat and make another stand at the 
rising ground where the whole contest ac- 
tually took place. Captain Beaujeu and his 
5 



66 EARLY LIFE OF 

party did not, however, arrive quite in time 
to make a stand at the ford, and thus failed 
to carry the first part of their plan into exe- 
cution. They however immediately placed 
themselves in ambush, partly in front and 
partly concealed in the ravines flanking the 
road up the rising ground, and there waited 
till Braddock's advanced columns came up. 
The French gave the first fire in front. — 
This was repelled by so heavy a discharge 
from the British, that the Indians thought 
it came from artillery, and showed symp- 
toms of wavering and retreat. At this mo- 
ment M. De Beaujeu was killed. M. Du- 
mas immediately took the command, rallied 
the Indians with great presence of mind, or- 
dered his officers to lead them to the wings, 
while, with the French troops, he main- 
tained the position in front. This order 
was promptly obeyed ; the attack became 
general, and the English columns got into 
confusion. 

As to the French accounts of their num- 
bers, the highest states them at two hun- 
dred and fifty ; French and Canadians and' 
six hundred and forty Indians, and the 
lowest at two hundred and thirty French 
and Canadians and six hundred Indians. A 



WASHINGTON. 0/ 

medium between the two will make the 
whole nmnber under De Beaujeu eight hun- 
dred and sixty. The French admit, in- 
cluding Indians, thirty-three killed and 
thirty-four wounded. 

When these French statements, the na- 
ture of the ground, and the mismanagement 
of General Braddock are duly considered, 
the result of the action will not appear very 
surprising. That the English should say 
''they were fighting with an invisible foe,"' 
and that '^ they could only tell where the 
enemy were by the smoke of their mus- 
kets," is no mystery, for it was literally true. 
Had Braddock known the position of his 
enemy, and raked the ravines with his ar- 
tillery, or charged through them with the 
bayonet, they v/ould have been cleared im- 
mediately. 

Colonel Washington lost no ground in the 
confidence of the public by Braddock's de- 
defeat. It was the general opinion that if 
he had been commander, the defeat would 
not have happened. By his firm conduct 
during the action, and his skilful manage- 
ment of the retreat, he gained additional 
reputation. 



08 EARLY LIFE OF 

CHAPTER EIGHTH, 

Anecdote — Washington is appointed to command the 
Virginia forces — his visit to Boston — commands the 
advance division at the taking of Fort Du Quesne — 
resigns his military commission — marries — devotes 
himself chiefly to agricultural pursuits till called trt 
take command of the American armies in the war of 
Independence. 

About fifteen years after Braddock's de- 
feat, as Washington Avas exploring wild 
lands near the Ohio river with a party of 
woodmen, a company of Indians came to 
them with an interpreter, headed by an aged 
and venerable chief. This chief told the 
party that, at the battle of Monongahela, he 
had singled out Colonel Washington as a 
conspicuous object, fired his rifle at him 
many times, and directed his young warriors 
to do the same, but to his utter astonish- 
ment, none of their balls took effect. He 
was then persuaded that the young man 
was under the special guardianship of the 
Great Spirit, and stopped firing at him any 
longer. He said he had come a great way 
to pay his respects to a man who w^as the 
peculiar favorite of Heaven, and could never 
die in battle.* 

About a fortnight after Washington re- 
turned home from Braddock'^ defeat, he 

* J. Sparka. 



WASHINGTON. 09 

was appointed to the chief command of the 
Virginia forces, now increased to sixteen 
companies, with authority to appoint his 
own officers, together with an aid-de-camp 
and Secretary. In this command he con- 
tinued three years, defending with energy 
and resohition three hundred and sixty 
miles of frontier against the continual in- 
cursions of a warlike and a savage foe, 
though furnished with very inadequate 
means for the arduous undertaking. His 
discipUne was reasonable and steady, but 
rigid. (Quarreling and fighting, drunken- 
ness, card playing and profane swearing 
were promptly punished. 

In March, 1756, Colonel Washington 
Avent with his aid to Boston on military 
business with General Shirley. He was 
treated with much politeness and attention 
at Boston. He attended with interest the 
proceedings of the Legislature of Massachu- 
setts, and visited Castle William and other 
places worthy of a stranger's notice. On 
his return home, he passed through Provi- 
dence, Newport, New London, New York, 
and Philadelphia, and spent several days in 
each of the two last mentioned cities. 



70 EARLY LIFE OF 

The design of the British to carry the 
war into Canada, being known to the 
French Governor of Canada, he recalled the 
greater part of the French troops from the 
Ohio river. Only abont five hundred men 
were left for the defence of the French pos- 
sessions. 

In 1758, another expedition marched 
against Fort Du Q^uesne, under the com- 
mand of General Forbes. Colonel Wash- 
ington commanded the advanced division of 
this army, which was sent forward to clear 
and prepare the way for the main body. — 
The night before the expedition reached 
Fort Du Q^uesne, the French, amounting to 
about five hundred men, set the Fort on 
fire, embarked on board their boats by the^ 
light of it, and sailed down the Ohio ; so 
that the army had nothing to do but to take 
possession of the spot where the Fort stood. 
This they did on the 25th of November, 
1758. General Forbes called the place 
Pittsburg, in honor of Mr. Pitt. 

Immediately after his return to Virginia 
from this expedition, Colonel Washington 
resigned his military commission. On the 
6th of January, 1759, at the age of twenty- 
seven, he married Martha Custis, the widow 



WASHINGTON. 7i 

of Daniel Parke Custis, and daughter of 
John Dandridge. Colonel Washington, 
though absent at the time, was elected a 
member of the Virginia Assembly by a 
large majority over three active rival can- 
didates. He attended the session of the 
Assembly held in the month of February. 
The house had resolved, without the 
knowledge of Washington, to return their 
thanks to him in a public manner for the 
distinguished services he had rendered his 
country. This duty devolved on Mr* 
Robinson, the Speaker. As soon as Colonel 
Washington took his seat, the Speaker, fol- 
lowing the impulse of his feelings, dis- 
charged the duty assigned him with dignity, 
but with such warmth and strength of ex- 
pression as entirely confounded the young 
hero. He rose to express his acknowledg- 
ments for the honor done him, but such was 
his trepidation and confusion that he could 
not give distinct utterance to a single sen- 
tence. He blushed, stammered and trem- 
bled for a moment, when the Speaker re- 
lieved him by a stroke of address that would 
have done honor to Louis the Eighteenth 
■in his proudest and happiest moment. " Sit 
«5l.owD. Colonel Washington," said he, with 



72 EARLY LIFE OF 

a conciliating smile, '^ your modesty is equal 
to your valor ; and that surpasses the power 
of any language that I possess."* 

When the session closed, the Colonel re- 
paired, with Mrs. Washington, to his resi- 
dence at Mount Vernon. Here he enjoyed 
the pleasures of domestic life and his fa- 
vorite agricultural occupations for sixteen 
years, until called by the voice of his 
country to take command of the American 
armies at the commencement of the war of 
the Revolution. He cultivated and im- 
proved his lands with remarkable judgment. 
He conducted his business upon a regular 
system. Economy was observed through 
every department of it. His accounts were 
inspected weekly. The divisions of his 
farm were numbered, an exact account was 
kept of the produce of each lot together with 
the expense of cultivating it, so that the 
profit or loss of any crop as well as ther 
relative advantages of different modes of 
husbandry might be seen at one view. 

During Washington's retreat from military 
life he was a magistrate of the county in 
which he resided, and frequently a member 
of the Virginia Legislature. He was hosr- 

* Wirt's Life of Patrick Henry, page 45„, 



WASHINGTON. T^J 

pitable and charitable ; a friend to the church 
in the parish where he Uved, and ever ready 
to do all in his power to promote the interests 
of morality and religion. He Avas indeed 
a friend of his country and a friend of man- 
kind. 



APPENDIX. 



The first Congress of the United Colonies met at 
Pluladelphia in 1774. Washington was a leading 
member of that body, and took an active part in oppo- 
sition to the principles assumed by the then British 
administration and parliament in relation to the Ameri- 
can colonies 

He was unanimously elected by Congress, General 
and Commander-in-chief of the United Colonies and 
of all their forces. When the President of Congress 
communicated this election, Washington thus ad- 
dressed him : 

" Mr. President — Although I am truly sensible of the 
high honor done me by this appointment, I feel a con- 
sciousness that my abilities and military experience 
may not be equal to the extensive trust. However, as 
the Congress desire it, I will enter upon the mo- 
mentous duty and exert every power I possess in their 
service and in support of our glorious cause. I beg 
they will accept my most cordial thanks for this dis- 
tinguished testimony of their approbation. 

'•' But unless some unlucky event should happen un- 
favorable to my reputation, I beg it may be remem- 
bered by every gentleman in the room that I this day 
declare, with the utmost sincerity, I do not think my- 
self equal to tiie command with which I am honored. 



/b APPENDIX. 

I beg leave, sir, to assure the Congress, that, as no pe- 
cuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept 
this arduous employment, at the expense of my do- 
mestic ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any 
profit from it. I will keep an exact account of my ex- 
penses. These, I doubt not, the Congress will dis- 
charge, and that is all I desire." 

Under what privations, difficulties and discourage- 
ments, Washington led our fathers through their revo- 
lutionary struggle, to victory and national indepen- 
dence, is well known. His agency in establishing that 
independence upon the basis of union in a national 
constitution, and his excellent administration of the 
government as the first President of the United States 
under that constitution, is equally well known. 



Washington was exactly six feet high. His limbs 
were well formed and indicated strength. His eyes 
were greyish, and his hair of a brown color. His com- 
plexion was light, and his countenance serene and 
thoughtful. 

His manners were graceful, manly and dignified. 
His general appearance never failed to engage the re- 
spect and esteem of all who approached him. He pos- 
sessed the most perfect self-government, and in a re- 
markable degree the faculty of hiding the weaknesses 
inseparable from human nature. He ever bore his 
distinguished honors with meekness and equanimity. 



APPENDIX. 77 

Reservcil but not haughty in his disposition, lie was 
accessable to all but he unbosomed himself only to iiis 
confidential friends. 

He was not so much distinguished for brilliancy of 
intellect, as for industry of application, solidity of 
judgment and consumate prudence of conduct. He 
was not so eminent for any single quality as for a union 
of great, amiable, and good qualities, rarely combined 
iu the same character. — Bancrofts Life of Washington. 



Mr. Stewart, the eminent portrait painter, used to 
say there were features in the face of Washington, dif- 
ferent from any he had ever observed in any other 
human being. The sockets for the eyes were larger 
than he had ever met with before, and the upper part 
of his nose broader. 

He always spoke with great diffidence, and sometimes 
hesitated for a word ; but it was always to find one well 
adapted to his meaning. His language was manly and 
expressive. 

Few persons ever found themselves for the first time 
in the presence of Washington, without being impress- 
ed with a degree of veneration and awe ; nor did thoee 
emotions subside on a closer acquaintance ; on the con- 
trary, his person and deportment were such as tended 
ratiier to augment them. The whole range of history- 
does not present to our view a character upon which 
we can dwell with such entire and unmixed adraira- 



78 APPENDIX. 

tion. The long life of Washington is unstained by a 
single blot. He was indeed a man of such rare endow- 
ments, and such a fortunate temperament, that every 
action ho performed was equally exempted from the 
charge of vice or weakness. Whatever he said or 
did, or wrote, was stamped with a striking and peculiar 
propriety. His qualities were so* happily blendid and 
so nicely harmonized, that the result was a great and 
perfect whole. The passions of his mind and the dis- 
positions of his heart were admirably suited to each 
other. His views, though liberal, were never extrava- 
gant. His virtues, though comprehensive and benefi- 
cent, were discriminating, judicious and practical. 

Yet his character, though regular and uniform, pos- 
sessed none of the littleness which may sometimes be- 
long to these descriptions of men. It formed a majestic 
pile, the effect of which was not impaired, but improved 
by order and symmetry. There was nothing in it to 
dazzle by wildness, and surprise by eccentricity. It 
was of a higher species of moral beauty. It contained 
every thing great and elevated, but it had no false and 
tinsel ornament. It was not the model cried up by 
fashion and circumstance : its excellence was adapted 
to the true and just moral taste, incapable of change 
from the varying accidents of manners, of opinions and 
times. General Washington is not the idol of a day, 
but the hero of ages ! 

Placed in circumstances of the most trying difficulty 
at the commencement of the American contest, he ac- 
cepted that situation which was pre-eminent in danger 



APPENDIX. 



fO 



and responsibility. His perseverence overcame every 
obstacle ; his moderation conciliated every opposition ; 
his genius supplied every resource; his enlarged views 
could plan, revise, and improve every branch of civil 
and military operation. He had the superior courage 
which can act or can forbear to act, as policy dictates, 
careless of the reproaches of ignorance either in power 
or out of power. He knew how to conquer by waiting, 
in spite of obloquy, for the moment of victory ; and he 
merited true praise by despising undeserved censure. 
In the most arduous moments of the contest, his pru- 
dent firmness proved the salvation of the cause which 
he supported. 

His conduct was, on all occasions, guided by the 
most pure disinterestedness. Far superior to low and 
grovelling motives, he seemed even to be uninfluenced 
by that ambition which has justly been called the in- 
stinct of great souls. He acted ever as if his country's 
welfare, and that alone, was the moving spring. His 
excellent mind needed not even the stimulus of ambi- 
tion, or the prospect of fame. Glory was a secondary 
consideration. He performed great actions ; he per- 
severed in a course of laborious utility, with an equa- 
nimity that neither sought distinction, nor was flattered 
by it. His reward was in the consciousness of his own 
rectitiide, and in the success of his patriotic efforts. 

As his elevation to the chief power was the unbiassed 
choice of his countrymen, his exercise of it was agree- 
able to the purity of its origin. As he had neither so- 
licited nor usurped dominion, he had neither to contend 



80 APPENDIX. a ^ 

v/ith the opposition of rivals, nor the revenge of ene- 
mies. As liis authority was undisputed, so it required 
no jealous precautions, no rigorous severity. His gov- 
ernment was mild and gentle ; it was beneficent and 
liberal ; it was wise and just. His prudent administra- 
tion consolidated and enlarged the dominion of an in- 
fant republic. In voluntarily resigning the magistracy 
which he had filled with such distinguished honor, he 
enjoyed the unequalled satisfaction of leaving to the 
state he had contributed to establish, the fruits of his 
wisdom and the example of his virtues. 

It is some consolation, amidst the violence of ambi- 
tion and the criminal thirst of power, of which so many 
instances occur around us, to find a character whom it 
is honorable to admire, and virtuous to imitate. A con- 
queror, for the freedom of his country ! a legislator, for 
its security ! a magistrate, for its happiness ! His glo- 
ries were never sullied by those excesses into which 
the highest qualities are apt to degenerate. With the 
greatest virtues, he was exempt from the corresponding- 
vices. He was a man in whom the elements were so 
mixed that " Natu+e might have stood up to all tho 
world" and owned him as her v/ork. His fame, bound 
ed by no country, will be confined to no age. T^*" 
•haracter of .Washington, which his contemporar 
admire, will be transmitted to posterity ; and the mem- 
ory of his virtues, will remain while patriotism and 
virtue are esteemed among men. — From an Enghah 
pvblieation. 



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